Noach: Chapter 42

"A city and a tower"

Synopsis

Kabbalah differs from other spiritual teachings in that we are not called upon to separate ourselves from the physical world of chaos. Instead, we embrace chaos to eradicate our negative traits and to nurture transformation. Throughout history, this has been a difficult endeavor. The peoples of the past, such as the generation during the time of the Tower of Babel, chose the easy path to spiritual Light, with dire consequences. We must be careful not to fall into that same trap.

In the biblical story, a group of evil people seek to build a tower that will reach Heaven. They intend to challenge God and seek world domination. Join this para with the next

The Zohar quotes the verse from the Torah: And they said, come, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach to heaven: and let us make ourselves a name.

The Zohar reveals that the terms City and Tower allude to the highest levels of the dark spiritual forces. The word name refers to the Names of God, or the power of the Hebrew letters. It is the letters that will allow the evil ones to access negative spiritual forces. God then confuses their language, creating seventy other tongues so that the power of the Hebrew letters can never be used for destructive purposes.

This section helps us to remain true to our spiritual path, and stops us from falling to the temptations of paths that always appear easier.

Babylon Directions East Gold Head Holiness (Kedushah) Judgment Kedushah (Holiness) Klipot (Shells – Negativity) Shells (Klipot) Tower

335. Come and behold: Observe WHAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN: "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech" (Beresheet 11:1). What is written next? "And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east (also, 'yore')" (Ibid. 2). FOR THEY REMOVED THERMSELVES from the Originator of the world. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY DREW DOWN THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LEFT, WHICH THE ORIGINATOR OF THE WORLD HAD FORBIDDEN THEM TO DO. THEREFORE, THE PASSAGE CONTINUES, "They found a plain in the land of Shinar" from where JUDGMENTS spread out in all directions. This is the beginning of Malchut's separation FROM HOLINESS. IT IS DESCRIBED BY THE PHRASE, "YOU ARE THIS HEAD OF GOLD" (DANIEL 2:38), BECAUSE "ELOHIM HAS MADE THE ONE AS WELL AS THE OTHER" (KOHELET 7:14). IN THE KLIPOT, THERE ARE ALSO FOUR ASPECTS: CHOCHMAH, BINAH, TIFERET AND MALCHUT. AND THE KLIPAH OF BABYLON IS CHOCHMAH OF THE KLIPAH. HENCE, IT IS THE HEAD OF ALL OF THE KLIPOT.

335. תָּא חֲזֵי, וַיְהִי כָל הָאָרֶץ שָׂפָה אַחַת וגו'. לְבָתַר מַה כְּתִיב, וַיְהִי בְּנָסְעָם מִקֶּדֶם. מֵהַהוּא קַדְמָאָה דְעָלְמָא. וַיִּמְצְאוּ בִּקְעָה בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר. דְּהָא מִתַּמָּן, מִתְפָּרְשָׁן לְכָל אִינוּן סִטְרִין, וְאִיהוּ רֵישׁ מַלְכוּ לְאִתְבְּדָרָא.

Atzilut East Eden Holiness (Kedushah) Kedushah (Holiness) Rivers Water

336. You might ask: Since it has already been written, "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from thence it was parted" (Beresheet 2:10), HOW CAN WE SAY THAT THE PLAIN (LIT. 'PARTITION') IN THE LAND OF SHINAR WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE SEPARATION? AND HE REPLIED: It is certain THAT THE SEPARATION STARTS AFTER OR BEYOND MALCHUT OF ATZILUT, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE GARDEN. When they journeyed from THE GARDEN, THEY FOUND THE PLAIN IN THE LAND OF SHINAR, and the separation was complete. If they gathered IN THE GARDEN for nourishment, BUT DO NOT DRAW THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LEFT, then there was no separation. THAT IS WHY THE VERSE STATES THAT FROM THE GARDEN "IT WAS PARTED." Only when they journeyed away FROM THE GARDEN did the separation occur, as it is written, "as they journeyed from the east," OR FROM THE GARDEN, they "found a plain," as previously explained. HAD THEY NOT LEFT THE GARDEN, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND A PLAIN IN THE LAND OF SHINAR AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM HOLINESS. THIS IS WHY THE PLAIN IN THE LAND OF SHINAR IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE BEGINNING OF THE SEPARATION.

336. וְאִי תֵימָא, הָא כְתִיב וְנָהָר יוֹצֵא מֵעֵדֶן לְהַשְׁקוֹת אֶת הַגָּן וּמִשָּׂם יִפָּרֵד. וַדַּאי הָכֵי הוּא, דְּכֵיוָן דְּנָטְלֵי מִתַּמָּן, הֲוֵי פְּרוּדָא, וְכַד אִינוּן כְּנִישִׁין תַּמָּן לְיַנְקָאָה לָא הֲוֵי פְּרוּדָא. וְכַד נָטְלִין הֲוֵי פְּרוּדָא, דִּכְתִיב וַיְהִי בְּנָסְעָם מִקֶּדֶם, וַיִּמְצְאוּ בִּקְעָה. כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמָר.

East Faith Mercy Sin

337. "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech," because it had one basic and essential foundation, MERCY. All peoples had faith in the Holy One, blessed be He, AND WOULD NOT SIN BEFORE HIM. But what does it say? It says, "And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east" - MEANING THAT THEY "DRIFTED AWAY" from the First and Foremost of the world and from the universal faith, and "they found a plain." They did indeed find something, something that would cause them to leave the supernal faith, AS SHALL BE EXPLAINED.

337. וַיְהִי כָל הָאָרֶץ שָׂפָה אֶחָת וּדְבָרִים אֲחָדִים. דְּהָא כְּדֵין עָלְמָא, בִּיסוֹדָא וְעִקָּרָא וְשָׁרְשָׁא חָדָא, וּמְהֵימְנוּתָא חָדָא, בֵּיהּ בְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. מַה כְּתִיב, וַיְהִי בְּנָסְעָם מִקֶּדֶם. מִקַּדְמָאָה עִקָּרָא דְּעָלְמָא, מְהֵימְנוּתָא דְּכֹלָּא. וַיִּמְצְאוּ בִּקְעָה. מְצִיאָה אַשְׁכָּחוּ, וְנָפְקוּ בָּהּ מִתְּחוֹת מְהֵימְנוּתָא עִלָּאָה.

Babel Babylon Head Nimrod Other Side

338. Come and behold: What is said of Nimrod? It is said: "And the beginning of his kingdom was Babylon" (Beresheet 10:10). For he drew POWER from Babylon that helped him to cling on to the dominion of the Other SIDE. IT ALSO READS, "They found a plain in the land of Shinar," MEANING they filled their hearts WITH DESIRE derived from Shinar, to leave the upper dominion and join a different power. FOR THE LAND OF SHINAR, WHICH IS BABYLON, IS THE HEAD AND ROOT OF SEVERENCE FROM THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE.

338. תָּא חֲזֵי, נִמְרוֹד מַה כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ, וַתְּהִי רֵאשִׁית מַמְלַכְתּוֹ בָּבֶל. דְּהָא מִתַּמָּן נְטַל לְאִתְאַחֲדָא בִּרְשׁוּ אָחֳרָא. וְהָכָא, וַיִּמְצְאוּ בִּקְעָה בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר. מִתַּמָּן נְטָלוּ בְּלִבַּיְיהוּ, לַאֲפָקָא מֵרְשׁוּתָא עִלָּאָה, לִרְשׁוּ אָחֳרָא.

Heaven Seas Tower Waters Wicked Wickedness

339. "And they said, Come, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach to heaven; and let us make us a name" (Beresheet 11:4). Rabbi Chiya quoted the verse: "And the wicked are like the troubled sea" (Yeshayah 57:20). HE ASKS: Is there a "troubled sea?" AND HE REPLIES: Yes, indeed, because when the sea leaves the bed, in which it belongs and starts to sway uncontrollably, ATTEMPTING TO OVERCOME THE BOUNDARIES OF THE SAND THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE, AND THUS POUR OVER THE LAND, it is troubled and driven from its place. It is like a drunkard who cannot sit steadily in his place and sways up and down. Why is that? Because "it cannot be still, and whose waters cast up mire and dirt" (Ibid.), FROM ITS FLOOR up to its shore.

339. וַיֹּאמְרוּ הָבָה נִבְנָה לָנוּ עִיר וּמִגְדָּל וְרֹאשׁוֹ בַּשָּׁמַיִם וְנַעֲשֶׂה לָנוּ שֵׁם. ר' חִיָּיא פְּתַח, וְהָרְשָׁעִים כַּיָּם נִגְרָשׁ וגו'. וְכִי אִית יָם נִגְרָשׁ. אִין. דְּכַד יַמָּא נַפְקָא מִתִּקּוּנֵיהּ, וְאָזֵיל בְּלָא חַבָּלָא, כְּדֵי נִגְרַשׁ וְאִתְתְּרַךְ מֵאַתְרֵיהּ, כְּמַאן דְּרָוֵי חַמְרָא, וְלָא יָתֵיב עַל בּוּרְיֵיהּ, וְסָלְקָא וְנָחֲתָא. מ"ט בְּגִין, כִּי הַשְׁקֵט לֹא יוּכַל וְיִגְרְשׁוּ מֵימָיו רֶפֶשׁ וְטִיט. דְּמַפְקוּ מֵימוֹי, כָּל הַהוּא טִינָא דְיַמָּא, וְכָל טִנּוּפָא לְשִׂפְוָותֵיהּ.

Babel Klipot (Shells – Negativity) Shells (Klipot) Tower Wicked Wickedness

340. Similarly, the wicked GENERATION OF THE TOWER OF BABYLON CALLED 'THE GENERATION OF SEPARATION', left the right and proper way FIXED BY THE ORIGINATOR OF THE WORLD, and were as directionless and purposeless as drunk men. THEY ATTACHED THEMSELVES TO BINAH OF THE KLIPAH, straying from the straight path and taking a crooked one. THE CROOKED PATH WAS THE PLAIN OF THE LAND OF SHINAR AND THE FLAW THAT THEY FOUND THERE. Why did this happen? Because it "cannot rest." The crookedness of their way, WHICH IS THE FLAW THAT THEY FOUND IN IT, caused them to be purposeless and restless, UNTIL THEY SAID, "LET US BUILD US A CITY AND A TOWER..." - THAT IS, THEY BUILT CHOCHMAH AND BINAH OF THE KLIPOT.

340. כְּגַוְונָא דָא, אִינוּן רְשָׁעִים, דְּנַפְקָא מֵאָרְחָא דְּתָקְנָא, וְאָזְלֵי כְּרָוֵי חַמְרָא, בְּלָא תִּקּוּנָא, דְּנָפְקֵי מֵאוֹרַח מֵישָׁר, לְאוֹרַח עָקִים. מ"ט בְּגִין, כִּי הַשְׁקֵט לֹא יוּכָל. דְּהָא עֲקִימוּ דְּאָרְחַיְיהוּ גָּרִים לוֹן, לְמֵהַךְ בְּלָא תִקּוּנָא, וּבְלָא שְׁכִיכוּ.

Serpent Tower Waters

341. Not only that, but they were full of anger when they uttered these words. THAT IS, WHEN THEY SAID, "LET US BUILD US A CITY AND A TOWER," THEY INTENDED TO FULFILL THEIR LUST, SINCE A GLUTTON IS ALWAYS IRATE. Their words were "mire and dirt," AND THE VERSE DESCRIBES THEIR ACTION AS, "WHOSE WATERS CAST UP MIRE AND DIRT," WHICH IS A REFERENCE TO THE ASPECTS OF THE KLIPAH CALLED "MIRE AND DIRT." They brought up filth and abomination from their mouths. THEY BROUGHT ON THE DEFILEMENT OF THE SERPENT, WITH THE WORDS, "LET US BUILD US...", until they were themselves defiled BY THE SERPENT.

341. וְלָא עוֹד, אֶלָּא, דְּכָל רוּגְזָא דִידְהוּ, בְּשַׁעֲתָא דְּאָמְרֵי מִלָּה מִפּוּמַיְיהוּ, הַהוּא מִלָּה, רֶפֶשׁ וְטִיט. כָּלְהוֹ מַפְקֵי טִנּוּפָא וְגִיעוּלָא, מִפּוּמַיְיהוּ לְבַר, עַד דְּמִסְתָּאֲבֵי, וּמְסָאֲבֵי לוֹן.

Heaven Tower Vanity

342. Come and behold: "And they said, come, let us build us a city and a tower whose top may reach to heaven." The word "come" is an invitation. The words, "let us build us a city and a tower whose top may reach to heaven," WERE UNACCOMPANIED BY ACTIONS. THE UTTERANCE OF THE WORDS ALONE CAUSED THE BUILDING OF THE CITY AND TOWER IN THE UPPER WORLDS. The people took bad advice, following the stupidity and vanity of their hearts, and going against the Holy One, blessed be He.

342. תָּא חֲזֵי, וַיֹּאמְרוּ הָבָה נִבְנָה לָנוּ עִיר וּמִגְדָּל וְרֹאשׁוֹ בַּשָּׁמַיִם. לֵית הָבָה: אֶלָּא הַזְמָנָה בְּעָלְמָא. נִבְנֶה לָנוּ עִיר וּמִגְדָּל וְרֹאשׁוֹ בַּשָּׁמַיִם. כָּלְהוֹ בְּעֵיטָא בִּישָׁא, אָתוֹ לְסַרְבָא בֵּיהּ, בְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. בִּשְׁטוּתָא אָתוֹ בְּטִפְּשׁוּ דְּלִבָּא.

Holiness (Kedushah) Kedushah (Holiness) Klipot (Shells – Negativity) Shells (Klipot) Wisdom

343. Rabbi Aba then said that they followed the stupidity of their hearts, but they used the Chochmah of the Klipah to leave the upper dominion OF HOLINESS and enter the dominion OF THE KLIPOT, exchanging the glory of the blessed One, with that of a strange El. This whole matter contains a secret of supreme wisdom.

343. אֲמַר ר' אַבָּא, שְׁטוּתָא נְסִיבוּ בְּלִבַּיְיהוּ. אֲבָל בְּחָכְמָה דִּרְשִׁיעוּ אָתוֹ, בְּגִין לְנָפְקָא מֵרְשׁוּ עִלָּאָה, לִרְשׁוּ אָחֳרָא, וּלְאַחְלָפָא יְקָרֵיהּ, לִיקָרָא נוּכְרָאָה. וּבְכֹלָּא אִית רָזָא דְּחָכְמְתָא עִלָּאָה.

Dwellings Grades Heaven Klipot (Shells – Negativity) Light Seas Shells (Klipot) Tower Vessels

344. "Let us build us a city and a tower whose top may reach to heaven." Come and behold: When they reached the plain that was the foreign dominion, THE PLACE WHERE THE FLAW OF BINAH OF THE KLIPAH WAS, AND SETTLED, it was revealed to them that the place was stuck among the fishes of the sea. They said, "This is the place to settle and strengthen our hearts, and let the lower beings enjoy themselves, AND DRAW THE LIGHT DOWNWARD, BECAUSE THIS IS THE PLACE OF THE KLIPOT." Having found the place, they immediately said, "Let us build a city and establish a tower for ourselves."

344. הָבָה נִבְנָה לָנוּ עִיר וּמִגְדָּל. תָּא חֲזֵי, כַּד מָטוֹ לְהַאי בִּקְעָה, דְּאִיהוּ רְשׁוּ נוּכְרָאָה, וְאִתְגְּלֵי לְהוֹ, אֲתַר דְּשָׁלְטְנוּתָא דָּא תְּקִיעַ בְּגוֹ נוּנֵי יַמָּא. אֲמָרוּ, הָא אֲתַר, לְמֵיתַב וּלְאִתְתַּקְפָא לִבָּא, לְאִתְהַנָּאָה בֵּיהּ תַּתָּאֵי. מִיָּד הָבָה נִבְנָה לָנוּ עִיר. נַתְקִין בַּאֲתַר דָּא, עִיר וּמִגְדָּל.

Corners Grades Klipot (Shells – Negativity) Light Point Shells (Klipot) Torah Tower

345. "And let us create a name for ourselves" - this place shall be Elohim for us. THIS REFERS TO THE PLACE OF THE KLIPOT, and not any other. The words, "build us a city and tower," indicate THAT THEY PLANNED TO DRAW DOWN CHOCHMAH AND BINAH OF THE KLIPOT, WHICH ARE CALLED A CITY AND A TOWER. Why should we climb up AND DRAW THE LIGHT FROM HERE UPWARD, when we are unable to enjoy anything that is above. Here, we have found a vantage point from which TO DRAW DOWNWARD. And we shall "make us a name," AN Elohim to worship here, "lest we be scattered abroad" to the other levels and to all FOUR corners of the world.

345. וְנַעֲשֶׂה לָנוּ שֵׁם. אֲתַר דָּא יְהֵא לָן לְדַחֲלָא, וְלָא אָחֳרָא, וְנִבְנֶה לַאֲתַר דָּא, עִיר וּמִגְדָּל. לָמָּה לָן לְסָלְקָא לְעֵילָא, דְּלָא נֵיכוֹל לְאִתְהַנָּאָה מִנָּהּ. הָא הָכָא אֲתַר מְתַקְנָא. וְנַעֲשֶׂה לָנוּ שֵׁם. דַּחֲלָא לְמִפְלַח תַּמָּן. פֶּן נָפוּץ: לְדַרְגִּין אָחֳרָנִין, וְנִתְבַּדַּר לְסִטְרֵי עָלְמָא.

Angels Demons Tower

346. Sitrei Torah (Concealed Torah). The builders of the city and the tower spoke only the holy language (Hebrew) known to the ministering angels. That is why it is written: "and now nothing will be withheld from them..." (Beresheet 11:6). Had they spoken a different language, one unknown to the supernal angels, they would not have succeeded in carrying our their plan. For the actions of demons do not last for long, only long enough for human beings to see and not longer.

346. (סתרי תורה) קוּמְטוּרָא דְּהַרְמָנָא, מְמַלְּלָן בְּלָשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ, דְּמה"ש אִשְׁתְּמוֹדְעָן בֵּיהּ, וְלָא הֲווֹ מְמַלְלִין בְּלִישָׁן אָחֳרָא. בְּגִין כָּךְ כְּתִיב וְעַתָּה לֹא יִבָּצֵר מֵהֶם וגו'. דְּאִלְמָלֵי מִשְׁתָּעָאן בְּלִישָׁן אָחֳרָא דְּמַלְאֲכֵי עִלָּאֵי לָא הֲווֹ אִשְׁתְּמוֹדְעָן בֵּיהּ, גָּרַע חֲשִׁיבוּ דְּאִינוּן חָשְׁבִין לְמֶעְבַּד. בְּגִין, דְּעוֹבָדָא דְּשֵׁדִין, לָאו אִיהוּ אֶלָּא בְּרִגְעָא חָדָא, לְחֵזוּ בְּנֵי אֱנָשָׁא, וְלָא יַתִּיר.

Grades Tower

347. "And of one speech" indicates that they were familiar with the levels on high. They confused no level with another. It says, "And of one speech," BECAUSE THE LEVELS WERE AS CLEAR TO THEM AS "ONE SPEECH." THEY HAD NO PROBLEM IN KNOWING THEM. But they took bad advice, the advice of Chochmah. Therefore, it is written, "Come, let us build us a city and a tower," REFERRING TO THE CHOCHMAH OF THE KLIPAH.

347. וּדְבָרִים אֲחָדִים. דַּהֲווֹ יָדְעִין דַּרְגִּין עִלָּאִין, כָּל חַד וְחַד, עַל בּוּרְיֵיהּ, וְלָא אִתְחְלַף לְהוֹ דַּרְגָּא. וּבְגִין כָּךְ כְּתִיב, וּדְבָרִים אֲחָדִים. וּבְגִין כָּךְ, אִתְיָעֲטוּ בְּעִיטָא בִּישָׁא, עִיטָא דְּחָכְמְתָא, דִּכְתִיב הָבָה נִבְנֶה לָנוּ עִיר וּמִגְדָּל.

Evil Grades Holiness (Kedushah) Judgment Kedushah (Holiness) Other Side Wisdom

348. All was according to the secret of wisdom. They planned to strengthen the power of the Other Side in the world and worship it because they knew that all evil Judgments descend from there to the worlds. In so doing, they hoped to drive away the level of Holiness.

348. כֹּלָּא בְּרָזָא דְּחָכְמְתָא הוּא, וּבָעוֹ לְאִתַּקְפָא בְּאַרְעָא, סִטְרָא אָחֳרָא, וּלְמִפְלַח פּוּלְחָנָא דִּילֵיהּ. בְּגִין דַּהֲווֹ יָדְעִין, דְּהָא כָּל דִּינִין בִּישִׁין, מִתַּמָּן נַחֲתִין לְעָלְמִין. וּבָעְיָין לִדְחוּיֵי דַּרְגָּא דְּקֻדְּשָׁא.

David Earth Holy Name Other Side Tower Wisdom Zion

349. "A city and a tower" relates to supernal Chochmah. They knew that the Holy Name, MALCHUT, is only strengthened on earth by a city and a tower. A city is required, as it says, "The city of David which is Zion" (I Melachim 8:1), and a tower, as it says: "Your neck is like the tower of David" (Shir Hashirim 4:4). THAT IS, THE HOLY NAME, WHICH IS THE KINGDOM OF DAVID, IS ALSO CALLED A CITY AND A TOWER. THESE NAMES SUGGEST MALCHUT DRAWING DOWN CHOCHMAH. They also acted upon the wisdom of the Other Side, in order to establish its dominion on earth, WHICH IS THE OPPOSING POWER OF MALCHUT. They wanted it to drive MALCHUT - CALLED the 'Master of all the earth - from its place.

349. עִיר וּמִגְדָּל: דָּא חָכְמְתָא עִלָּאָה. הֲווֹ יָדְעֵי דִּשְׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא, לָא אִתְתַּקַּף בְּאַרְעָא, אֶלָּא בְּעִיר וּמִגְדָּל. עִיר: דִּכְתִיב עִיר דָּוִד הִיא צִיּוֹן וגו'. מִגְדָּל: דִּכְתִיב כְּמִגְדַּל דָּוִד צַוָּארֵךְ. וּבְחָכְמְתָא עֲבָדוּ, לְמֶהֱוֵי שָׁלְטָנָא דְּסִטְרָא אָחֳרָא בְּאַרְעָא, דְּדַחְיָיא אֲדוֹן כָּל הָאָרֶץ מֵאַתְרֵיהּ. וּלְמֶהֱוֵי דִיוּרָא לְסִטְרָא אָחֳרָא בְּאַרְעָא.

Earth Face Light Tower

350. "And let us make us a name" like that of the other, HOLY SIDE in the upper worlds. We will strengthen it, so that it will stay with us and we will have a name in the land. AS THE HOLY SIDE SHINES FROM BELOW UPWARD, WE WILL DRAW THE LIGHT FROM ABOVE DOWN TO EARTH. "Lest we be scattered abroad:" they knew that they were about to be scattered all over the face of the earth, and therefore joined together to accomplish their goal and build THE CITY AND THE TOWER with Chochmah.

350. וְנַעֲשֶׂה לָנוּ שֵׁם. כְּמָה דַּאֲחִידָא אִיהוּ שֵׁם לְעֵילָא, נַתְקִיף לָהּ בֵּינָנָא, לְמֶהֱוֵי שֵׁם בְּאַרְעָא. פֶּן נָפוּץ. יְדִיעָא הֲווֹ יָדְעִין, דְּיִתְבַּדְּרוּן מֵעַל אַפֵּי אַרְעָא. וּבְגִין כָּךְ, הֲווֹ מִתְיַחֲדִין לְמֶעְבַּד עֲבִידְתָּא דָא בְּחָכְמָא.

Adam Eve Evil Female Judgment Male Other Side Strength Tower Tree

351. The Other Side includes male and female, and they are the strength of the filth of harsh Judgment. When Adam sinned BY EATING OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE, THE MALE AND FEMALE OF THE OTHER SIDE were strengthened in the world. They too caused THE OTHER SIDE to be strengthened. As it is written, "Which the children of man built," referring to Adam's children, who brought the dominion of the Other Side, which is the side of evil, upon the world. Like the Holy Side, the Other Side has no power to rule in the world without a city and a tower. Therefore, they built a city and a tower to give it dominion in this world.

351. סִטְרָא אָחֳרָא, אִיהוּ דְּכַר וְנוּקְבָא, תּוּקְפָא דְזוּהֲמָא דְדִינָא קַשְׁיָא. וּכְמָה דְאָדָם חָב בְּהוֹ, וְאִתְקָפוּ בְּגִינֵיהּ עַל עָלְמָא. אוֹף הָכֵי אִינוּן עָבְדִין דְּאִתְתַּקַּף יַתִּיר, דִּכְתִיב אֲשֶׁר בָּנוּ בְּנֵי הָאָדָם. בְּנוֹי דְּאָדָם קַדְמָאָה, דְּאַיְיתֵי וְאַשְׁלִיט סִטְרָא אָחֳרָא עַל עָלְמָא, סִטְרָא בִישָׁא. כְּמָה דְסִטְרָא דִקְדוּשָׁה, לָאו שָׁלְטָנֵיהּ בְּהַאי עָלְמָא, אֶלָּא בְּעִיר וּמִגְדָּל. אוֹף הָכֵי חֲשִׁיבֵי אִינוּן, לְמִבְנֵי עִיר וּמִגְדָּל, לְמִשְׁלַט הַאי סְטַר בִּישָׁא בְּעָלְמָא.

Corners Deeds Grades Holiness (Kedushah) Holy Name Kedushah (Holiness)

352. "And Hashem came down to see" (Beresheet 11:5). The Holy Name came down to observe their deeds, the building they built, and how they spoke the holy language and successfully communicated and adjured with all the holy levels. When Holiness came down, the levels became confused, the upper ones descending and the lower beings rising. Because the levels were no longer properly placed AND BECAUSE THEIR NAMES HAD BEEN CHANGED, THEY COULD NO LONGER INVOKE THEM. He confused their language, dividing it into seventy languages, and scattered them to all FOUR corners of the world.

352. וַיֵּרֶד ה' לִרְאוֹת, נָחַת הַאי שְׁמָא דְּקַדִּישָׁא, לְמֶחֱזֵי עוֹבָדֵיהוֹן דְּבִנְיָינָא דִּבְנוֹ. וְאִינוּן הֲווֹ מְמַלְּלָן בִּלְשׁוֹן קֹדֶשׁ, לְגַבֵּי כָּל אִינוּן דַּרְגִּין קַדִּישִׁין, וַהֲווֹ מַצְלִיחִין. כֵּיוָן דְּנַחֲתַת קְדוּשָּׁה, אִתְבַּלְבְּלוּ כָּל אִינוּן דַּרְגִּין, עִלָּאִין נָחֲתוּ, וְתַתָּאִין סְלִיקוּ, וְלָא הֲווֹ קָיְימִין בְּאֹרַח מֵישָׁר, כְּמָה דַּהֲווֹ. וּלְבָתַר בִּלְבֵּל לִישַׁנְהוֹן בְּע' לִישָׁן, וְאִתְבַּדָּרוּ לְכָל סִטְרֵי עָלְמָא.

Gates Heaven Key Oath Tower Wisdom

353. There is one governor in heaven who holds all the keys to the happenings of the world. He stands waiting FOR THOSE WHO SEEK HIM, but he is only available at certain hours and times of the day. They were familiar with the secret of the wisdom and they knew all the secrets of this governor. They used utterances to open and close THE GATES OF THE HIDDEN MYSTERIES. USING WORDS, they succeeded BY INVOKING THE SUPERNAL GOVERNOR, THE GREATEST GOVERNOR AND THE LEADER OF THE WORLD, IN BUILDING THE CITY AND THE TOWER. When their language became confused, everything became impossible. THEY WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO BIND THIS GOVERNOR WITH OATHS.

353. חַד מְמַנָּא הוּא בִּרְקִיעָא, וּבֵיהּ קָיְימִין כָּל מַפְתְּחָן, דְּעוֹבָדֵי עָלְמָא. וְאִיהוּ קָיְימָא זַמִּין, בְּשַׁעֲתֵי וְרִגְעֵי דְיוֹמָא. וְאִינוּן הֲווֹ יָדְעִין בְּרָזָא דְחָכְמְתָא, גִּנְזָא דְּהַאי מְמַנָּא. וַהֲווֹ פָּתְחֵי וְסָגְרֵי, וּמַצְלְחֵי בְּעוֹבָדֵיהוֹן, בְּמֵימְרָא דְפוּמְהוֹן. כֵּיוָן דְּאִתְבַּלְבֵּל מֵימְרָא דִלְהוֹן, כֹּלָּא אִתְמְנָע מִנַּיְיהוּ.

Camp Ephraim Evil Other Side Tower

354. Those who did not wish to leave under the influence of the End of the Right, THE CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM WHO LEFT EGYPT BEFORE THE END OF THE TIME OF EXILE, panicked. They fell under the influence of the End of Days, on this plain, the strength of which had been weakened AT THE TIME OF THE GENERATION OF THE TOWER OF BABYLON. NOW, BECAUSE OF THEIR MISDOINGS, THE OTHER SIDE RETURNED TO POWER AND KILLED THEM ALL. This is why the verse says, "The valley which was full of bones" (Yechezkel 37:1).

354. וַאֲתַר מְתֻקָּן אַשְׁכָּחוּ, בְּהַהוּא בִּקְעָה. סִתְרָא דְּסִתְרִין. וַיִּמְצְאוּ בִּקְעָה. אֲתַר מְתֻקָּן לְהַאי סִטְרָא בִּישָׁא דְּבָעוּ אִנוּן לְאַתְקָפָא וְאִתְמְנָעוּ. תּוֹקְפָא דְּהַהוּא סִטְרָא הֲוָה תַּלְיָא לְאִתְפְּרָעָא בְּהַהִיא בִּקְעָה, עַד דְּנָטְלָא תַּמָּן חֵילִין וּמַשִּׁירְיָין, כְּגַוְונָא דְּאִינוּן דְּבָנוּ קַרְתָּא וּמִגְדְּלָא. וְאִתְיְהִיבוּ כָּלְהוֹ בִּידָהָא, וְאִתְקַטָּלוּ תַּמָּן.

Babel Babylon Egypt End of Days Ephraim Exile Other Side Strength Tower Valley

355. (in my version, this is para 354) In that plain, which is most hidden, they found ready a place for strengthening the evil side, but were still unable to fortify it. So, the power of the Other Side remained latent in that plain until the armies and camps like those who built the city and the tower, NAMELY THE SONS OF EPHRAIM, traveled and reached it. AS HE CONCLUDES, There they came under the influence of that side and were killed.

355. אִנוּן, דְּלָא בָּעוֹ לְמֵיפַק בְּקֵץ הַיָּמִין, אִתְבְּהִילוּ וּנְפָלוּ בְּקֵץ הַיָּמִים. בְּהַהוּא אֲתַר, דְּאִתְחַלַּשׁ תָּקְפָא בְּקַדְמֵיתָא, בְּהַאי בִּקְעָה. וְע"ד כְּתִיב, וְהִיא מְלֵאָה עֲצָמוֹת.

Ephraim Ezekiel Idolatry Nebuchadnezzar Other Side

356. THE OTHER SIDE was strengthened by the idol that Nebuchadnezzar built, and then it was weakened by the bones OF THE SONS OF EPHRAIM, WHICH EZEKIEL BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. Therefore, the idol THAT NEBUCHADNEZZAR ESTABLISHED was shattered by the image, DRAWN FROM THE HOLY SIDE, of the forefathers who were brought back to life and rose and stood on their feet.

356. וְאִתְתַּקְפַת בְּהַהוּא צוּלְמָא, דְאָקֵים נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר. וְאִתְבַּר תּוּקְפָא לְבָתַר, בְּאִנוּן גַּרְמִין, וּבְהַהוּא צוּלְמָא דְּאִינוּן קַדְמָאֵי קָיְימוּ, וְקָמוֹ עַל רַגְלֵיהוֹן. וְהַהוּא צוּלְמָא אִתְבָּר.

Azariah Holy Name Idolatry Jacob Miracle Mishael Nebuchadnezzar Other Side Resurrection Sanctification Torah

357. Then all the peoples of the world realized that there is no Eloha besides the Holy One, blessed be He. Not only that, but His Name was sanctified by Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, BECAUSE OF WHOM THE POWER OF THE OTHER SIDE WAS BROKEN. And all THESE EVENTS occurred in one day. Therefore it says: "They shall sanctify My name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob" (Yeshayah 29:24). BECAUSE THESE THREE EVENTS - THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD THAT EZEKIEL PERFORMED, THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE HOLY NAME BY HANANIAH, MISHAEL AND AZARIAH, AND THE SHATTERING OF THE IDOL OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR - ALL OCCURRED IN A SINGLE DAY. SIX MIRACLES OCCURRED IN THAT ONE DAY. (End of Sitrei Torah)

357. וּכְדֵין יָדְעוּ כָּל עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא, דְּלֵית אֱלוֹהַּ בַּר קֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בִּלְחוֹדוֹי. וְתוּ דְּאִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵיהּ, עַל יְדָא דַּחֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה. וְכֹלָּא בְּחַד יוֹמָא, וְע"ד כְּתִיב וְהִקְדִּישׁוּ אֶת קְדוֹשׁ יַעֲקֹב וגו'. עַד כָּאן סִתְרֵי תּוֹרָה.

Earth Judgment Shechinah Ten Tower

358. "And Hashem came down to see the city and the tower." This was one of the ten times that the Shechinah came down to earth. HE ASKS: What did He see that He did not know beforehand? AND HE ANSWERS: To see means to observe with Judgment. As it is written: "May Hashem see and judge" (Shemot 5:21).

358. וַיֵּרֶד ה' לִרְאוֹת אֶת הָעִיר וְאֶת הַמִּגְדָּל. דָּא הוּא חַד מֵאִינוּן עֲשַׂר זִמְנִין, דְּנָחֲתָא שְׁכִינְתָּא לְאַרְעָא. וְכִי מַה הוּא לִרְאוֹת, וְלָא הֲוָה יָדַע מִקַּדְמַת דְּנָא. אֶלָּא, לִרְאוֹת: לְאַשְׁגָּחָא בְּדִינָא. כד"א, יֵרֶא ה' עֲלֵיכֶם וְיִשְׁפֹּט.

Grades Judgment Tower

359. "The city and the tower:" We should note what is written here, because it does not say 'to see the people,' but rather, "to see the city and the tower." Why? Because when the Holy One, blessed be He, observes TO EXECUTE His Judgment, He first observes the upper levels, WHICH ARE THE ROOTS, and then the lower beings, WHICH ARE THE BRANCHES. The matter OF THE CITY AND TOWER reached high above TO THE WORLDS ABOVE and therefore the observance was first on high. As it is written: "to see the city and the tower," INDICATES THE CITY AND TOWER OF THE WORLDS ABOVE.

359. אֶת הָעִיר וְאֶת הַמִּגְדָּל. הָכָא אִית לְאִסְתַּכָּלָא, דְּהָא לָא כְתִיב, לִרְאוֹת אֶת בְּנֵי הָאָדָם, אֶלָּא, לִרְאוֹת אֶת הָעִיר וְאֶת הַמִּגְדָּל. אַמַּאי. אֶלָּא, בְּשַׁעֲתָא דְּאַשְׁגַּח קֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בְּדִינָא, בְּקַדְמֵיתָא יַשְׁגַּח בְּדַרְגָּא דִלְעֵילָא, וּלְבָתַר בְּדַרְגָּא דִלְתַתָּא. בְּקַדְמֵיתָא בְּעִלָּאֵי, וּלְבָתַר בְּתַתָּאֵי. וּבְגִין דְּהַאי מִלָּה מָטָא לְעֵילָא, אַשְׁגָּחוּתָא דִלְעֵילָא הֲוָה בֵּיהּ בְּקַדְמֵיתָא. דִּכְתִיב, לִרְאוֹת אֶת הָעִיר וְאֶת הַמִּגְדָּל.

Adam Death Death and the Afterlife Oath Tower

360. "Which the children of man (Heb. Adam) built." HE ASKS: Why does it say the "children of Adam?" AND HE ANSWERS THAT THE VERSE IMPLIES THAT THEY ARE the children of Adam, who rebelled against His Master and brought death upon the world. THAT IS, THEY FOLLOWED IN HIS FOOTSTEPS. The words, "which the children of Adam (Man) built," indicate that they actually built it. EVEN THOUGH THEIR WORDS, "COME, LET US BUILD US..." WERE MERE WORDS, as soon as they uttered them, they caused it to be built in the upper worlds. THEY UTTERED OATHS WITH THEIR MOUTH AND WITH THEM THE CITY AND TOWER WERE BUILT.

360. אֲשֶׁר בָּנוּ בְּנֵי הָאָדָם. מַאי בְּנֵי הָאָדָם, בְּנוֹי דְאָדָם קַדְמָאָה. דְּמָרַד בְּמָרֵיהּ, וְגָרַם מוֹתָא לְעָלְמָא. אֲשֶׁר בָּנוּ בְּנֵי הָאָדָם, בִּנְיָינָא וַדַּאי, אָמְרוּ וּבָעוֹ לְמִבְנֵי לְעֵילָא.

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